Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Following Surgery in Treating Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx * Gross total resection completed or planned * No less than gross total resection * No disease requiring staging surgery * Prior gross total resection completed with one or more of the following risk factors: * Histologically proven multiple lymph node metastases * At least 1 lymph node with extracapsular extension of tumor * Positive margin(s) of resection, including mucosal margins and/or soft tissue or deep margins of resection OR * Gross total resection planned within 14 days of study enrollment with anticipated need for postoperative radiotherapy for one of the following: * Multiple clinically/radiologically evident lymph nodes of at least 1.5 cm * Single clinically/radiologically evident lymph node of at least 3 cm * Histologically proven lymph node metastases * No T3, N0 glottic cancer * No nasopharyngeal or paranasal sinus carcinoma * No distant metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 21 and over Performance status: * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * White blood cell (WBC) at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 ULN Cardiovascular: * No unstable angina * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months unless successfully treated with coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty * No uncontrolled arrhythmia * No second or third degree heart block or other clinically significant conduction system abnormality unless pacemaker is in place Pulmonary: * No severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring 3 or more hospitalizations within the past year Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neurotoxicity * No other prior malignancy within the past 3 years except low-risk nonmelanomatous skin cancer; carcinoma in situ (e.g., breast, cervix, or bladder); or stage T1-2, low to moderate grade prostate cancer * No significant wound infection * No fistula * No major wound dehiscence * Nutritional status adequate PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Concurrent colony-stimulating factors for neutropenic fever during study chemoradiotherapy allowed Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy to head and neck Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics